A new study out of Rwanda has found that taking a daily dose of selenium has extremely beneficial properties for HIV-positive individuals.
According to researchers, this is because selenium supplementation significantly reduces the rate of CD4 cell count decline. This type of white blood cell, which is crucial in protecting the body from infection, is attacked and destroyed by the HIV virus. When this occurs rapidly, the HIV progresses into full-blown AIDS.
The two-year randomized controlled trial involved the surveillance of 300 HIV+ patients who had not begun antiretroviral therapy (ART). The results showed a 48 per cent decrease in the rate of CD4 decline.
This could have massive implications for selenium-deficient Rwanda, in which, according to UNAIDS, 4,500 deaths occur per year due to AIDS related illnesses.
Dr. Don Warren, former director of research for the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM), acted as a guide for the study. He notes that he had previously seen “remarkable results with routine daily selenium supplementation” in other selenium-deficient locales like the slums of Nairobi and Kenya.
“The outcome of this study could have significant positive impact in the early treatment of HIV/AIDS in Africa and other affected areas,” adds Warren.
Moving forward, additional study will be required to see if similar benefit occurs for HIV-positive patients in regions with more selenium-rich soils.
